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California News by Jeff Mitchell

Thu, 12/11/2008 - 17:35

Schwarzenegger nomination to stem cell institute board creates instant mini-election

By Jeff Mitchell, PolitickerCA.com Editor

SACRAMENTO - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger this week nominated his own pick to serve as vice chairman of the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine board, thus creating what will be a small but interesting election.

The governor initially nominated Dr. Claire Pomeroy for the post, but subsequently withdrew her name with the University of California, Davis, vice chancellor and dean determined that she would not have enough time to serve on the board that the voters created in 2004 when they approved Prop. 71.

There have been 33 comments posted in response to this story.
Thu, 12/11/2008 - 15:53

Perata transfers whopping $1.5 million from Leadership California PAC to personal legal defense fund

By Jeff Mitchell, PolitickerCA.com Editor

OAKLAND - In an act that could be nothing more than a politician taking an abundance of caution or a sign that his ongoing FBI corruption probe may finally be heating up, former state Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata transferred $1.5 million from his Leadership California to his personal legal defense fund, state records show.

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There have been 35 comments posted in response to this story.
Wed, 12/10/2008 - 20:10

McNerney is named to influential House Energy Committee

By Jeff Mitchell, PolitickerCA.com Editor

WASHINGTON - U.S. Rep. Jerry McNerney is apparently quickly moving up the House political food chain as evidenced by his appointment Wednesday to the powerful Energy and Commerce Committee.

Just days into his second term, the Pleasanton Democrat who represents CA-11 said he was excited by the appointment.

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There have been 11 comments posted in response to this story.
Wed, 12/10/2008 - 19:21

Bay Area physics professor expected to be named Energy Secretary

By Jeff Mitchell, PolitickerCA.com Editor

BERKELEY -- Steven Chu, a 1997 Nobel Prize-winning physicist, will be named the nation's next Secretary of Energy, officials and media reports indicated late Wednesday. 

President-elect Barack Obama is expected to soon name Chu, who holds professorships at the University of California, Berkeley and Stanford University to the high-level post.

Chu, 60, an Oakland resident, is currently the director of the prestigious Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

California's junior U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer applauded the pick.

There have been 29 comments posted in response to this story.
Wed, 12/10/2008 - 14:13

Unique anti-Prop. 8 protest underway Wednesday

By Jeff Mitchell, PolitickerCA.com Editor

SAN FRANCISCO - While many of the more publicized anti-Prop. 8 protests following the Nov. 4 election have been loud, high-profile street marches and rallies, organizers Wednesday launched a quieter protest against the successful ballot measure which prohibits gay marriage in the state.

All through Wednesday, organizers are calling upon gays, lesbians, and straight allies to call in to their places of work not "sick" but "gay" in what is being billed as the "Day Without a Gay" event.

There have been 40 comments posted in response to this story.
Wed, 12/10/2008 - 12:44

Feinstein says no to overtime boozing during inauguration week

By Jeff Mitchell, PolitickerCA.com Editor

California's senior U.S. Senator, Dianne Feinstein, is predicting a nightmare scenario for Washington, D.C. police should a recent local ordinance allowing bars and restaurants to sell alcohol until 5 a.m. during President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration week be allowed to stand.

There have been 31 comments posted in response to this story.
Tue, 12/09/2008 - 22:15

Torres hopes life after politics involves putting a human face on state stem cell research

By Jeff Mitchell, PolitickerCA.com Editor

SACRAMENTO -- With just a few more months to go before California Democratic Party Chairman Art Torres plans to step down as head of the party, the famous former state lawmaker is already thinking about the future.

And the future in Torres' case may well involve being one of the high ministers of an agency doing some of the most cutting-edge science out there - stem cell research.

Torres, 62, has been nominated to become the next vice chairman of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine.

There have been 32 comments posted in response to this story.
Tue, 12/09/2008 - 21:07

Harris, Feinstein urge Congress to force automakers to accept California's emissions & economy standards or lose bailout cash

By Jeff Mitchell, PolitickerCA.com Editor

SAN FRANCISCO - One of Bay Area's most junior politicians, District Attorney Kamala Harris, joined with one of state's longest serving veterans, U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, in urging Congress to force American automakers to produce cars that emit lower emissions and get better mileage - or forego any federal bailout cash.

In separate letters, the women urged Congress to require the Big Three automakers to agree to stop lobbying against California's cutting-edge emission and mileage standards or risk not getting any federal bailout money.

There have been 37 comments posted in response to this story.
Tue, 12/09/2008 - 20:30

Californians contributed nearly half a million dollars to Blagojevich campaign committees, records show

By Jeff Mitchell, PolitickerCA.com Editor

Following Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's arrest Monday on federal corruption charges, the metaphorical sound of gnashing teeth could be heard around the state from the more than 70 California donors who contributed to governor's campaign committees .

Based on an initial PolitickerCA.com analysis of Illinois State Board of Elections records, more than 70 California-based corporations, partnerships, companies and individuals contributed to the 51-year-old Blagojevich from as far back as 2001 to as late as June of this year.

There have been 9 comments posted in response to this story.
Tue, 12/09/2008 - 00:01

Burton says state Democratic Party must do more to turn more 'red' areas 'blue' - or at least 'purple'

By Jeff Mitchell, PolitickerCA.com Editor

SAN FRANCISCO - Famed state political legend John Burton has begun to detail the kinds of things he plans to do with the state Democratic Party should he be elected its chairman next spring.

Burton said that he would focus on getting the party to provide more assistance to those grassroots efforts working to turn traditionally Republican or conservative counties to more moderate if not outright Democratic counties.

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There have been 35 comments posted in response to this story.